I have to agree with this theory if it is what Krivsky is trying to do:
Krivsky offers Twins peek
Reds insider
The firing of Chris Chambliss was the latest move in the "Minnesota-ization" of the Reds. If the Minnesota-ization continues we could see bigger moves.

Let's explain the Minnesota-ization theory.

Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky worked for the Twins for 11 years before coming to the Reds. Minnesota GM Terry Ryan has had more influence on Krivsky than anyone in baseball.

So it stands to reason that Krivsky is trying to rebuild the Reds in the Twins' mold - given the success of the franchise.

The Reds were the antithesis of the Twins offensively under Chambliss.

All you have to do is take a look at the final stats for this season to see that.

The Twins led the American League in batting average. They struck out fewer times than any team in the AL. They were 13th in home runs. And they were fourth in the AL in sacrifice flies.

The Reds were second last in the National League in batting average. They struck out more than all but four teams in the NL. They were second in home runs. And they were 14th in the NL in sacrifice flies.

The Twins won 95 games; the Reds 80.

Krivsky said the Chambliss move wasn't a change in philosophy. But two days after Chambliss was fired the club hired Ronnie Ortegon to replace Leon Roberts as the minor-league hitting coordinator.

Sounds like the club wants a different approach to hitting.

"There are a lot of different ideas about hitting," Krivsky said. "I just want to win."

But he admits an aversion to strikeouts.

"I don't like strikeouts," he said. "I'd give up home runs for (fewer) strikeouts."

It should be noted that Chambliss didn't get fired because he and Krivsky and Jerry Narron clashed on philosophy. Chambliss got fired because the Reds didn't hit after Aug. 24.

They were first in the NL in slugging percentage and on-base percentage at that point. They ended up sixth in slugging percentage and seventh in on-base percentage.

"That's hard to do after 134 games - to fall off like that," Krivsky said.

Some of that had to do with the trade that sent Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez to Washington. Some of that had to do with injuries to Ken Griffey Jr. and Ryan Freel.

But Chambliss took the fall. Narron talked about the lack of adjustments hitters made late in the season.

Chambliss had a lot of success as the Reds hitting coach before the team went into the mega-slump in late August.

The Reds led the NL in runs scored in 2005. They did that despite having five hitters strike out more than 100 times.

Chambliss was always concerned about the strikeouts. But he saw them as a byproduct of the kind of hitters the Reds had. "Strikeouts come with power," he would say.

Krivsky is willing to sacrifice power for contact. Again, look at the Twins. When Justin Morneau hit 34 home runs this year he was first Twin to exceed 30 since 1987. The Reds had players go over 30 eight times in that period.

Adam Dunn, the ultimate strikeout-power guy, has hit at least 40 the last three seasons.

Krivsky traded away three of the five hitters who struck out 100 times in 2005 - Wily Mo Peņa, Kearns and Lopez.

Dunn certainly could be next to go.

Remember the "I'll give up some home runs for less strikeouts" quote.

Krivsky also said this: "It's about scoring runs and preventing runs. The defense has to get better."

That's more of the Minnesota-ization of the Reds. The Twins finished third in the AL in defense. The Reds finished second last in the NL.

Cutting down on strikeouts and putting more emphasis on the defense would not seem to bode well for Dunn's long-term future with the Reds.

But whoever replaces Chambliss is not going to turn Dunn into Joe Mauer. And no one's going to turn him into a Gold Glove outfielder, or Silver or Bronze for that matter.

So if the Minnesota-ization continues, we could see Dunn playing elsewhere in 2007.

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com

Yachtzee

10-15-2006, 09:26 AM

If Krivsky "Minnesota-izes" anything, I'd prefer it would be the pitching staff. Everyone focuses on how the Twins do things on the offensive side of the ball, but I'd say they're pitching has a lot to do with how many games they win. Wouldn't you love to have a Johann Santana, a healthy Francisco Liriano, and Joe Nathan on the Reds?

I wouldn't give up home runs for less strikeouts, but I would give up home runs for better pitching.

RedLegSuperStar

10-15-2006, 09:33 AM

Yeah I do to. GABP is strucktured for hitters. Just can't understand why the Reds score less then their opposition seemingly every year. We need someone who will get these guys hitting. I like Vern Ruhle and I hope he gets better.. and I think he can help this team as he did when he was brought in. But if he's not healthy and can't return to the organization as a full time pitching coach we need another guy as good or better to put this pitching staff over. Harang and Arroyo can't carry this team next year without help from Milton or whoever. The bullpen should be set-up minus an addition but the real focus is on strikeouts as hitters and homeruns as pitchers.

The thing is though with Dunn is he doesn't have the value he did at this time last year.. I could be wrong but I think we would of been better off dealing Dunn for #2 type starter + prospects instead of dealing Kearns and Lopez for bullpen help and some guy named Royce.

Falls City Beer

10-15-2006, 10:10 AM

Bad article. Stupid plan.

Krusty

10-15-2006, 10:16 AM

Bad article. Stupid plan.

Stupid plan? And where has a beer league softball team gotten us since 2000? Lead the league in strikeouts and home runs. Great for fans but it hasn't won too many games.

Yet Minnesota hasn't had a 30+ home run hitter in how many years till this year? Of course the Twins have made the playoffs more than the Reds since 2000.

If you can't see what Krivsky is doing, then you need to take the blinders off. He got rid of Pena, Kearns and Lopez (free swingers) and added more contact hitters like Hatteberg and Phillips. He is trying to upgrade the defense and pitching.

Fans love the longball but smart GMs know that solid pitching, defense and timely hitting wins ballgames. I think that is Krivsky's plan in reshaping this ballclub.

I'm all for blowing up this roster. The guys who have been here since 2000 hasn't gotten us anywhere.

Falls City Beer

10-15-2006, 10:18 AM

Stupid plan? And where has a beer league softball team gotten us since 2000? Lead the league in strikeouts and home runs. Great for fans but it hasn't won too many games.

Yet Minnesota hasn't had a 30+ home run hitter in how many years till this year? Of course the Twins have made the playoffs more than the Reds since 2000.

If you can't see what Krivsky is doing, then you need to take the blinders off. He got rid of Pena, Kearns and Lopez (free swingers) and added more contact hitters like Hatteberg and Phillips. He is trying to upgrade the defense and pitching.

Fans love the longball but smart GMs know that solid pitching, defense and timely hitting wins ballgames. I think that is Krivsky's plan in reshaping this ballclub.

The Twins win with defense and pitching. Period. And Wayne's acquired exactly one pitcher in nine months worth keeping. And has made the defense no better.

He's got to do a whole lot better than that.

macro

10-15-2006, 10:19 AM

http://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51960

Joseph

10-15-2006, 10:24 AM

He's dead on about fixing the defense. He needs to fix the rotation too. He also needs to realize that EE and Dunn are going to strike out, and thats ok, outs are outs, no big deal 99% of the time.

The only thing I really liked was his comment about winning instead of being 'competitive' like previous GMs have said.